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Faecal Incontinence: Causes, Symptoms and How Kegel8 Can Help

Faecal incontinence (also known as bowel incontinence) is when you uncontrollably pass gas or leak stool — sometimes occasionally, sometimes several times a day. It happens when the pelvic floor and the internal and external sphincter muscles are weakened, damaged, or not working in coordination.

How the Bowel and Sphincters Work

The internal sphincter is unconsciously contracted throughout the day, holding waste until your bowel is full. If damaged, you may lose the sensation to go and leak soft stool or gas without realising (passive faecal incontinence).
The external sphincter is under your voluntary control. When your rectum fills, you contract this muscle until you are ready to go. If it’s weak or damaged, you may feel an urgent need to open your bowels and be unable to hold on (urge faecal incontinence).

The Impact of Faecal Incontinence

Bowel incontinence can be devastating. Beyond the physical symptoms, it can lead to embarrassment, social isolation, anxiety, and depression. It’s the leading cause of admission into nursing homes, affecting 30–50% of residents, and yet it remains under-reported because many people suffer in silence.

It is more common than asthma or diabetes, with millions affected worldwide — yet support and solutions are available.

Causes of Faecal Incontinence

Faecal incontinence can develop for many reasons. Some of the most common include:

Childbirth – vaginal deliveries can weaken or tear the anal sphincter and pelvic floor muscles, sometimes with lasting nerve damage.
Pelvic floor dysfunction – weakness may lead to prolapse of the rectum or small intestine, or difficulty coordinating muscles when opening your bowels.
Constipation – chronic straining weakens the pelvic floor, and faecal impaction can cause overflow diarrhoea that leaks.
Diarrhoea – chronic diarrhoea from IBS or Crohn’s disease can overwhelm weakened sphincters.
Disease and injury – neurological conditions like Parkinson’s, MS, stroke, or spinal cord injuries increase risk.
Pelvic or colorectal surgery – can damage nerves and sphincters.
Carrying excess weight – increases pressure on the pelvic floor and weakens support over time.
Ageing – muscle atrophy, reduced mobility, and diet changes all contribute to weaker bowel control.
Smoking – linked to digestive conditions and chronic coughing, which strains the pelvic floor.
Medications – antibiotics or drugs that alter fat absorption can cause diarrhoea and worsen symptoms.
Sexual abuse – trauma may cause physical and psychological damage to sphincter function.

Symptoms of Faecal Incontinence

You may be suffering from faecal incontinence if you:

Leak stool when you pass wind
Pass very soft or liquid stool without realising
Cannot stop wind escaping
Lose complete bowel control and pass stool suddenly
Experience chronic diarrhoea or constipation
Frequently soil underwear
Suffer with abdominal pain or also urinary incontinence

Always see your GP to rule out serious conditions like rectal cancer or IBS if you also experience bleeding, dark stools, pain, unexplained weight loss, or the feeling of never fully emptying your bowel.

Conservative Treatments for Faecal Incontinence

For many people, conservative (non-surgical) therapy can improve or even resolve symptoms. These include:

Diet and lifestyle changes – adjusting fibre intake, hydration, and bowel habits.
Medication – anti-diarrhoeal or stool-softening treatments, if appropriate.
Pelvic floor (Kegel) exercises – strengthening the pelvic floor helps support the bowel and improves sphincter coordination.

Up to 25% of people see a resolution with conservative measures alone.

How the Kegel8 Ultra 20 Can Help

The Kegel8 Ultra 20 Electronic Pelvic Toner is a clinically proven medical device designed to:

Strengthen weak pelvic floor muscles that support the bowel and anal sphincters
Re-train coordination of pelvic floor and sphincters to respond better to bowel urges
Improve anal sphincter strength, reducing leaks of stool or wind
Relieve urgency, giving you more time to get to the toilet
Restore confidence and quality of life

Unlike manual Kegel exercises, which can be hard to do correctly, the Kegel8 Ultra 20 uses gentle electrical stimulation to directly target the right muscles — even if they feel too weak to contract voluntarily. With regular use, many people notice real improvements in control within 12 weeks.

Want to learn more? Download your free Kegel8 eBook.

Download your free Kegel8 eBook written by Specialist Pelvic Health Physiotherapist - Amanda Savage to learn the causes, symptoms, and treatments for bowel incontinence. Discover how pelvic floor exercises and simple lifestyle changes can help you regain control and confidence.

The Bottom Line

Faecal incontinence is far more common than people realise, and it isn’t something you should just live with. By strengthening your pelvic floor, improving sphincter control, and making small lifestyle adjustments, you can regain bowel control and confidence.

With the Kegel8 Ultra 20, you don’t have to suffer in silence — you can take back control of your body and your life.

Sources

Altman, D., Falconer, C., Rossner, S., & Melin, I. (2007). The risk of anal incontinence in obese women. International Urogynecology Journal, 18(11), pp.1283–1289. [viewed 19/11/2024]. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17356799/

Bladder and Bowel Support Company. (2024). Faecal Incontinence. [online] Bladder and Bowel Community. [viewed 19/11/2024]. Available from: https://www.bladderandbowel.org/bowel/bowel-problems/faecal-incontinence/

Carter, D. (2014). Conservative treatment for anal incontinence. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 20(2), pp.85–91. [viewed 19/11/2024]. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4020129/

Hull, T. (2007). Fecal Incontinence. Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery, 20(2), pp.118–124. [viewed 19/11/2024]. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC2780180/

Heymen, S., Scarlett, Y., Jones, K., Ringel, Y., Drossman, D., & Whitehead, W.E. (2009). Biofeedback for pelvic floor dyssynergia-type constipation. Diseases of the Colon & Rectum, 52(10), pp.1730–1737. [viewed 19/11/2024]. Available from: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3855426/

International Continence Society. (2023). Faecal Incontinence. [online] ICS. [viewed 19/11/2024]. Available from: https://www.ics.org

Mayo Clinic. (2023). Fecal Incontinence. [online] Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. [viewed 19/11/2024]. Available from: https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fecal-incontinence

NICE. (2019). Faecal Incontinence in Adults: Management (Clinical Guideline CG49). [online] National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. [viewed 19/11/2024]. Available from: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/cg49

NHS. (2024). Bowel Incontinence. [online] NHS UK. [viewed 19/11/2024]. Available from: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/bowel-incontinence/

Faecal Incontinence: Causes, Symptoms and How Kegel8 Can Help